File photo
As Turkey’s diplomatic efforts averted catastrophe in Syria’s Idlib, Turkish-made drones are set to play a major role in monitoring the implementation of the agreement brokered with Russia to demilitarize the flashpoint northwestern Syrian region.
Both countries will monitor from the air
According to Defense Industry Researcher Turan Oğuz, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, will contribute to the peace deal in Idlib as both Turkey and Russia will be monitoring the scene from the air instantaneously in accordance with the agreement reached in Sochi.
“Both ANKA and Bayraktar drones will be vital to the process in Idlib. It will be a huge advantage to monitor the scene from the air 24/7 in a complex region with several hostile groups on the ground. Commanders will be able to receive live images from the air in real-time on their tablets as drones operate over the area.”
Oğuz stated that Turkey will be able to monitor any possible transgression against its soldiers in real-time and will be capable of punishing the assailants instantaneously.
“Our monitoring airpower will be able to gather intelligence and under circumstances where action needs to be taken, targets will be neutralized. Combat drones will be deployed if the rules of engagement between Turkey and Russia allow it.”
"Drones will rotate shifts"
Oğuz stressed that Turkey’s domestically-produced drones will be a major advantage when it comes to monitoring the field.
“Due to the fact that we manufacture our own drones, we face no problems when it comes to the number of vehicles we dispatch. In the past, we used to try to accomplish tasks using our limited capabilities. Now we can have 15 drones in the air simultaneously, which allow us to rotate shifts between them, enabling us to monitor the region uninterruptedly.”
"Evidence will be of great value"
The establishment of a joint operations room comprised of soldiers from different countries is a vital matter, explained Oğuz.
Owing to the fact that it produces its own drones, Turkey’s hand will be strengthened both during negotiations and on the field.
Footage captured by drones will be presented as evidence to the other side in the case of any violation, continued Oğuz.
"Turkish and Russian soldiers can manage the process from a joint operations room"
“Both we [Turks] and the Russians will be closely following developments. For that reason, a swap of intelligence and live footage will surely take place. A joint air control center will be established by Turkish and Russian military officials to manage the process. These types of joint spaces are critical for coordination,” concluded Oğuz.
The Turkish and Russian leaders agreed Monday to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib, Syria’s last opposition stronghold, during a bilateral meeting in Sochi, Russia.
Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
According to the understanding, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.
Turkey will continue its military actions in Syria's Idlib in coordination with Russia, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday."The Sochi agreement with Russia is an important achievement for both countries involved and the people of the region," Akar said.Turkey and Russia on Monday agreed to turn Idlib into a demilitarized zone after a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russia's coastal city of Sochi.Turkey, US continue patrols in Syria's ManbijAnkara and Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the stabilization of the situation in Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are prohibited.The demilitarized zone will extend between 15 to 20 kilometers (9-12 miles) deep into Idlib by Oct. 15. The establishment of the zone will be accompanied by the withdrawal of armed groups, including the al-Nusra Front.Erdoğan said Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols along the zone's perimeter, and the two countries will restore transit routes between Syria's Aleppo, Latakia, Hama by the end of 2018.Russia will take necessary measures to protect Idlib de-escalation zone: FMForeign troops reach significant numbers in Syria and Iraq 'Turkey-Russia deal on Idlib ends Assad dream to regain control over Syria'US welcomes efforts to reduce violence in Syria
'Turkey will continue its military actions in Idlib in coordination with Russia'
The UN has sent 29 trucks of humanitarian aid to Syria’s northwestern Idlib province on Tuesday.The convoy passed through the Cilvegozu border gate in southern Hatay’s Reyhanli district.Some 580 tons of humanitarian aid will be distributed to people in need in Idlib and its rural areas.Located near the Turkish border, Idlib province is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.EU demands humanitarian protection under Idlib dealThe Syrian regime had announced plans last month to launch a major military offensive to the area, long controlled by various armed opposition groups.The UN warned that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century".On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province.Video: UN sends 29 trucks of humanitarian aid to IdlibTurkey hopes no more blood will be shed in Syria: FM'Russia, Iran planning to declare victory over Idlib'Opening Pandora’s box in Idlib
UN sends 29 trucks of humanitarian aid to Syria's Idlib
A Russian-Turkish deal on Syria's opposition-held Idlib region must protect civilians and allow aid access, the European Union said on Tuesday."We expect that the agreement which was ... reached yesterday by the Russian and Turkish presidents will guarantee the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure as well as guarantee the unhindered and sustainable humanitarian access," and EU spokeswoman told a regular news briefing.Under the agreement announced on Monday, Russian and Turkish troops are to enforce a new demilitarised zone in the Idlib region. Turkey hopes no more blood will be shed in Syria: FM'Russia, Iran planning to declare victory over Idlib'Opening Pandora’s box in IdlibForeign troops reach significant numbers in Syria and Iraq 'Turkey-Russia deal on Idlib ends Assad dream to regain control over Syria'Turkey, Russia agree on 'weapons-free zone' in Idlib
EU demands humanitarian protection under Idlib deal
Germany has welcomed on Tuesday an agreement between Turkey and Russia to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province, the last major stronghold of the opposition groups."We welcome all steps towards avoiding a humanitarian catastrophe," Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter, referring to the Turkey-Russia agreement.He called for concrete steps towards implementing the agreement."The agreement in Sochi now needs to be implemented. This had not been possible for other agreements in Syria in the past years," he added.Maas met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week in Berlin and urged Moscow to avoid a large-scale military offensive in Idlib, which he said could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and new refugee influx.Syrian opposition says Turkish-Russian deal excludes Idlib attack'Turkey-Russia deal on Idlib ends Assad dream to regain control over Syria'Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Monday, following their talks in Sochi, to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib province.Putin said the demilitarized zone will extend between 15 to 20 kilometers (9-12 miles) deep into Idlib by Oct. 15.Turkish and Russian armed forces will conduct joint patrols along the zone's perimeter, according to the agreement.Located near the Turkish border, Idlib province is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.Erdoğan's aide hails Ankara-Moscow deal on IdlibUS welcomes efforts to reduce violence in SyriaThe Syrian regime had announced plans last month to launch a major military offensive to the area, long controlled by various armed opposition groups. The UN warned that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century".
Germany welcomes Turkey-Russia agreement on Idlib